Cubesat carries first 3D-printed space antenna

Dubbed IOD-1 GEMS, the miniaturised weather observing and forecasting technology is the first of the Satellite Applications Catapult’s In-Orbit Demonstration Programme, which is funded by Innovate UK. It is also the first satellite in Orbital Micro Systems Global Environmental Monitoring System constellation.
Through the support and collaboration with Satellite Applications Catapult and other IOD team members, OMS is now positioned to be a market leader in gathering and delivering actionable comprehensive, accurate, and frequent weather data, said William Hosack, CEO of OMS, which is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado and has expanded to Edinburgh. OMS Passive Microwave Sounder instrument is said to be less than a quarter of the size and over 70kg lighter than the existing equivalent, which has reduced deployment costs by 95 per cent.